All preceded by a 5:00 a.m. alarm, a shit/shower/shave, a dog walk,a lunch made, a bus ride, a stroll to the building (arriving, usually by7:00/7:15 a.m.) and preparing for the day, the

Deluge of at least 100 adolescents and 20/30/40 fellow teachers…Ready to steam through 7 to 8 hours of organized chaos,entropic, careening bodies . . . the chorus of hallway chatter and the bustleof banging lockers, the wending a way to the next class . . .

And the days (often) flew by, the seasonal ebb and flow, the “Spring Training”of autumnal rhythm, the incipient Winter and its holidays, the slog through Februaryand the always-grim March, with some hope that April will (eventually) arrive.

Taking care of “other people’s children” for a lifetime….enjoying it, indeed,Loving it --- loving those kids, year after year…..And now, five years removed (FIVE YEARS?), it’s so hard, rolling out of bedat 8:00 a.m., to recall all those 5 a.m. wake-ups, all that morning ritual and travel,all those people every day . . . Almost like a dream . . .

As we continue to watch the government shutdown it becomes more and more apparent how unfit for the Presidency Donald Trump is. Not that that is news, of course, but his obstinate clinging to his “wall” has more than revealed the Emperor’s New Clothes. Two ideas I ran across on Wednesday really clarified the situation for me and I thought I’d share them. One was from Eddie Glaude, the chair at the Center for African-American Studies, a professor at Princeton and a frequent commentator on MSNBC. In discussing the “wall” he referred to it as a “monument to ideology,” comparing it to statues of Confederate generals in the South. In Trump’s world, the “wall” represents far more than a simple physical barrier designed to keep immigrants out of our country. Like those statues of Confederate generals and politicians, it is a symbol, asserting the power of white men to control what goes on in (or who comes in and out of) our country. Just as those Confederate statues (erected during the Jim Crow era in the South) were designed to send a message to Black folks about who was in charge, the “wall” is a clear signal that Brown people are not wanted in the United States. And that fits perfectly, of course, with what we know about Donald Trump. From his opening statement declaring he was running for President, he displayed his penchant for fantastical mendacity as he claimed Mexicans were raping and murdering our citizens. He repeated this lie in his Oval Office address and he may well believe it --- just as Southerners believed (and white supremacists still believe) African-Americans are savages who only want to rape their women and kill their “masters.” So, the “wall” has become Trump’s totem, his symbol for his rather simplistic white supremacist, white nationalist ideology --- indeed, the “monument” to that ideology.

What also appeared in the news on Wednesday was a story (it ran in the NY Times and in Vox) about how the people in Marianna, Florida were suffering because of the shutdown. It seems there is a federal prison in Marianna where many of the "non-essential" workers were “furloughed” (think about that descriptor!) and will be missing paychecks, etc. until funding is passed by Congress and signed by the President. Crystal Minton, a secretary at the prison expressed her displeasure with the President, whom she had voted for, by stating: “He’s not hurting the people he needs to be hurting.” Take a look at that quote again. He’s not hurting the people he needs to be hurting. Behind those words we get a glimpse into the soul of the Trump base. We knew Trump appealed to people who could not bear the notion that we had had eight years of a (god forbid!) Black President but what the quote also reveals is the belief that Trump would, in fact, hurt those people (Democrats, the “elites,” etc.) who had supported that Black President! Having watched the rallies with the “Lock Her Up” and “Build the Wall” chants (not unlike Reichstag rallies but, hey, I won’t go there) we can see Trump’s viciously negative appeal to the basest, darkest side of those who could not identify with a country that elected a Black President, a nation which had become more and more urban and "colored," a culture which was growing in new technologies while watching old technologies disappear or move to foreign shores.

And behind it all was this phony con man who had, with the help of producer Mark Burnett, convinced Americans that he was, in fact, a wheeling-dealing businessman who was wealthy beyond imagination --- a man who couldn’t get a loan from any U.S. bank, who ran businesses into the ground, who didn’t pay his contractors, who used illegal workers to build his personal palace, and who had denied renting to African-Americans. This is a President who does not read (and I honestly believe he has learning disabilities), who has an aversion to facts, to science, to the notion that evidence is required to verify statements. He has hitched his wagon to a “wall,” his lodestar, and now, when he can’t fulfill his spurious campaign promise (“Who’s going to pay for it?”) he is willing to declare a National Emergency and divert Department of Defense funds to save face!

These are the actions of an autocratic leader, of course, and as the Mueller noose tightens and the Democratic House won’t give him his “wall” (as their opening gambit---wait until the committees begin investigating!), Trump can see his House of Cards collapsing around him. Of course, as long as the spineless Mitch McConnell remains his faithful servant not much legislation will see the light of day but once Mueller hits the fan who knows what kind of meltdown we might see. Until then we’ll keep hearing about the “wall” and if this shutdown continues for the “months and years” Trump says it might, there are 22 Republican Senators (including McConnell) who will be up for re-election in 2020 and they may begin to finally show some spine and stand up to this ideologue who is the proverbial “empty suit.” Until then, we will have to support the Democrats in their resistance, as well as their attempts at passing voting rights and health care legislation, hoping, too, that those who support Trump begin to realize he doesn’t care who he hurts as long as he saves his own skin.

Well, it’s 2019 and “awards season” is upon us. Despite being a member of the first “TV. generation” (early Boomers) I love movies --- and always have. My parents were both big moviegoers as kids (during the Depression) and, even with a TV. in the house, we watched “Million Dollar Movie” on WOR-TV, Channel 9 religiously. By my teen years going to the movies (and even Drive-Ins!) was part of the social warp and woof of life (date night!). Luckily for me, Yale had two excellent “Film Societies” --- The Yale Film Society and the Yale Law School Film Society --- providing me with cheap movies and an education in film and filmmaking that was second to none. I skipped all my classes one week to spend it in the Law School Auditorium watching and listening to Fritz Lang present all his movies and explain not only his philosophy of film-making but his technical genius as well (watch Metropolis or The Thousand Eyes of Dr. Mabuse if you want to see how far ahead of his time Lang was). So, when the Awards Season rolls around, I’m a sucker for it --- even if it is a critically flawed system.

Sunday night’s Golden Globe Awards (NBC, 8 pm) kicks off two months of frenetic statuette salutes to producers, directors, actors, composers, etc. The Season culminates on February 24th with the Academy Awards presentation (NBC 8 pm). In between, the other televised programs are the Screen Actors Guild Awards (TNT, 8 pm, January 27th) and the Independent Spirit Awards on IFC February 23rd (5 pm PST) --- the drunken pre-party to the Oscars. Also of note are the February 10th (CBS, 8 pm) Grammy Awards, which are tangentially connected to Hollywood, of course (particularly because of A Star is Born this year). If you want to see a complete list of all the Awards that are given in January and February, go to the Rotten Tomatoes site for an extensive list.

So, that said, I’m going to offer my extremely subjective opinion about six of the ten Golden Globe movie nominees and will withhold any Oscar chatter until February. If you are not familiar with the Globes (the 93 members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association who vote for “excellence in the film and movie industry” wiki) they have different categories than the Oscars and separate “Best Motion Picture” into two categories: drama and comedy/musical (I’m not clear as to how films are categorized, as the Association’s guidelines seem vague on this issue). Five films are nominated in each category and, as luck would have it, I have seen three in each and will offer my capsule reviews--- as well as comments about the ones I haven’t seen!

Nominated in “Best Motion Picture --- Drama” were Black Panther, Black KKKlansman, Bohemian Rhapsody, If Beale Street Could Talk, and A Star is Born. I did not see Bohemian Rhapsody (which garnered a lot of attention for Rami Malek’s teeth) and haven’t seen Beale Street (though I intend to, having been a big fan of Moonlight). Neither is considered a serious contender compared to the other three films (though you never know how the HFPA will vote!).

Black Panther was not only a thoroughly entertaining film, it was clearly a breakthrough movie in proving that a Black cast and “black-themed” movie could be a blockbuster. That said, for me, a Marvel movie is a Marvel movie and, while I loved Black Panther, it was still a fantasy/adventure film and not my cup of tea. I loved watching it and appreciated its worldwide success --- but think it will garner ancillary awards but none of the big prizes.

Black KKKlansman was, yet again, another excellent Spike Lee Joint, with great performances from John David Washington and Adam Driver. That its subject matter was so topical was significant, too (with shots of the Charlottesville protests at the end). While I don’t think this film will garner any major awards, this (like Black Panther) is a must-see film --- and isn’t it time we recognize Spike Lee as a great American filmmaker!

A Star is Born is expected to sweep the Awards Season and, having seen it twice (something I never do!), I have to say that, while not flawless, it was impressively good. For a first time director, Bradley Cooper hits all the right notes and Lady Gaga is a revelation as the leading lady. Sam Elliott and the other supporting actors (Anthony Ramos, Andrew Dice Clay) are perfect in supporting the leads and the story. And the music works with the drama (and Cooper is pretty impressive as a singer/songwriter). If you haven’t seen this film, catch it before the Oscars (and the Grammys, I’d guess).

The films nominated in the Best Motion Picture—Musical or Comedy category are Crazy Rich Asians, The Favourite, Green Book, Mary Poppins Returns, and “Vice.” I did not see The Favourite (though I want to and it certainly looks award worthy in the trailers!) and Mary Poppins (which has garnered great notices for Emily Blunt). It seems Green Book and Vice were shuttled off to the “Comedy/Musical” category because there was a sense they deserved an award but might prevent A Star is Born from winning, so they were relegated to a category they don’t belong in!

Crazy, Rich Asians, of course, did for Asian actors (and writers, directors, producers, etc) what Black Pantherdid for African-Americans. And, like Black Panther, it was a breakthrough movie, showing an all –Asian cast could be an international blockbuster. And, like Black Panther, it is an enjoyable and entertaining film --- one you should see if you haven’t.

Green Book is a must-see movie. Period. (While humorous, it is not a comedy!) Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali both deserve “Best Actor” awards (though Viggo is nominated for Best Actor & Ali for Supporting Actor). Not only are their performances brilliant, the story itself is compelling and beautifully rendered. If you haven’t seen Green Book it is the one film I would recommend you see (even ahead of A Star is Born).

Vice, Adam McKay’s latest venture (he brought us The Big Short as well as an endless list of Will Ferrell vehicles ---Anchorman, Talladega Nights, Step Brothers, etc.) was the most disappointing film out of the six I saw. How it got any nominations escapes me entirely. Christian Bale is his usual self, morphing miraculously into Dick Cheney --- but that’s more like watching a dog walk on its hind legs than viewing a breathtaking performance. Amy Adams is equally good at Lynne Cheney but the superficial “Iago meets Lady Macbeth” plot, with its muddled timeline cross-cutting is more confusing than enlightening and, ultimately, there is nothing in this movie we did not already know --- and we are given absolutely zero insight into the Cheneys. Wait for this one to hit NetFlix or HBO.

So there’s a glimpse into the start of the Award Season. Tomorrow night the brilliant Sandra Oh and the amusing Andy Samberg will host the Golden Globes and Monday morning you (and I) will be reading about who the “professional critics” believe the Oscar front-runners are. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association is a quixotic group who sometimes throw fast-breaking curveballs into the Oscar mix. Let’s see what they do this year!

I played on my first Little League team (“Windsor Fuel”) at age 11 (happily, my parents waited until I asked to play and did not push me to start playing at age 9). We went 18-2 and won 2 out of 3 playoff games to become the Bay Shore-Brightwaters Champions of 1960. It was an auspicious start to my athletic career and a harbinger of things to come. It happened that the Bay Shore High School classes of 1966, 1967, and 1968 had a distinctly high number of good/great athletes and the football and basketball teams I played on in high school were spectacularly successful (over 4 years we were 26-4 in football with a League Championship and in basketball we were 58-14 with three League Championships and a trip to the Sectional Finals). As a competitive athlete there’s nothing better than playing on successful teams. Serving as Captain of the basketball team and quarterbacking the undefeated football team were a big part of my identity as I headed off for college.

As a “walk-on” player in both football and lacrosse I became a starter on those teams (as a defensive safety and a midfielder) and also played in the highly competitive “A-League” intramural basketball league (where Yale demigods Calvin Hill and Brian Dowling both participated). All this “history” is being provided to establish that, despite being “undersized” (barely 5’10” & tipping the scales at about 158 pounds at the time), I loved the challenge of playing sports and, finding myself in the “right place, right time” again and again, enjoyed enormous team success. Upon leaving college I continued to play pick-up basketball and touch football and never lost my intense competitiveness.

And that’s where this story really begins. As a teaching intern in Greenwich, Connecticut in the fall of 1972 I talked to the GHS Athletic Director about being an unpaid assistant coach for the school’s basketball team. Because I’d be leaving in January (to finish my courses for a Master’s Degree in Teaching at Colgate in upstate New York) the job never materialized but as I began looking for a full time teaching job that Spring (1973) I definitely wanted to coach basketball as part of wherever I might go. As fate would have it, I got a job in Rye Brook, New York, where a brand new Junior-Senior High School was opening, with grades 7,8,9,10 in 1973-74 and a plan to add a grade each year until it was a 7-12 school starting in 1975-76.

At that time the Ridge Street School was a K-8 institution and had a Jr. High basketball team (and coach) but in 1973-74 it would field a Junior Varsity High School team, with the then-current Jr. High Coach assuming the duties of JV Coach --- allowing me to step in (at age 24) as the Jr. High School basketball coach. The players I would coach that year would ultimately be members of the graduating classes of 1978 and 1979 from Blind Brook High School.

At age 24 I had more nerve than brains, particularly regarding basketball coaching, and believed, somehow, I was “well prepared” to coach because I was a good player who had lots of experience on successful teams. To my detriment, I decided that my role model and “guru” would be Bob Knight, the very successful coach at the University of Indiana, known for histrionics and (borderline crazy) sideline behavior. Bad idea.

Luckily for me, the kids I worked with were not only good athletes but also intelligent (and pretty thick-skinned). It helped that I was their classroom teacher in Social Studies, so they actually knew I wasn’t always a raving lunatic (as I often was on the basketball court). The “tragic flaw” I suffered (if I may be so grandiose) was not recognizing that what worked so well in my classroom (a student-centered, “democratic” approach) was nowhere to be found in my authoritarian/megalomaniacal gymnasium.

Armed with some fundamentals gleaned from my own high school coaches (as well as their brand of unsympathetic “male” toughness) I ventured into coaching basketball. As anyone will tell you, players make the team and a coach can enhance it --- and that was certainly the case my first year. We were relatively successful because my players were good athletes who applied themselves to the task at hand. I knew I had to improve --- but was confident I could do so.

By 1974-1975 Blind Brook Jr.-Sr. High School now had grades 7 through 11 and was going to have to field Varsity teams. Our principal, a big fan of mine, pressured the Athletic Director to appoint me as the Varsity basketball coach, leap-frogging over the JV coach (who had previously coached the Jr. High team for many years). That coach would now be a step below me --- not a great situation (athletically or politically). Nonetheless, at 25 years of age with one year of coaching under my belt and no experience other than being a Varsity player from 1965-1967 I was now a Varsity basketball coach. In 1974-75 Blind Brook also had the disadvantage of: a) no seniors on our squad; and b) no one over about 6’2” tall. Nonetheless, we competed. We ended the season 0-16 and never even came close to winning a game. At season’s end the JV coach resigned and I was included in the interviews for who might replace him.

By 1975-1976 we now had seniors on the team and, more importantly, our ninth graders (my junior high team) were beginning to play JV ball under the guidance of Jim Spano – a great player who was an even better coach (lucky me!). Our “long-term plan” was to have a very successful team by the time these freshmen were seniors. Long story short: second varsity season we were 2-14 (after losing 26 consecutive games over two years we won two in a row!), but then we won 5 and then 8, and we were ready for our “boys,” now seniors, to hit the big time.

To put in perspective how good a group of athletes we had, during the fall season this group won the New York State soccer championship! Impressive. The 1978-79 season, 40 years ago, that group of players (the classes of 1979 & 1980), a 6th seed in the Tournament, took us to the Sectional Finals, where we lost a 3 point game to the eventual State champions. Despite the disappointing finish, it was the most fun, the most satisfying, and the most exceptional group of people I ever had the pleasure to coach.

This past Monday night, 40 years later, players from the classes of ’78,’ 79, and ’80 met for dinner in what has become an annual event (since the mid-2000-aughts or so). My “kids” are now in their mid to late 50’s and I’ll be 70 in May. I can’t describe how much this team still enjoys each other’s company and how much they demonstrate their respect and affection for their coaches. I liken it to my family (my cousins, whom I almost never see) and I pick up conversations as if no time has passed when we see each other (usually at funerals these days). This team --- and they were the perfect embodiment of that notion, that “team” that every coach wants to work with --- revels in each other’s presence and, every December, catches up, rehashes, teases, and loves being together. From my perspective it’s the greatest holiday present people can share --- the connection and long-standing bond with people you love and respect.

The “Team” members are well-established adults now, of course, and quite successful ones at that. It’s gratifying, as an educator, to see how well they’ve done. More than that, though, as with family, it’s just a pure joy to get to spend time with people you spent countless hours with years ago who still exhibit the energy, the intelligence, and the basic human kindness that was just the tip of each iceberg in 1978-79.

I’m already looking forward to next December and hoping that I’ll have opportunities to spend time with some (or all) of them during 2019, even before December!

I hope everyone who might read this has a great Holiday season and a great New Year.

Years ago I taught high school courses on “Ethical Issues in Decision-Making.” Based on Lawrence Kohlberg’s research, the course presented students with a series of moral/ethical dilemmas and was designed to explore how student’s reasoned to come to their conclusions about the resolution of the dilemmas. The dilemmas involved classic problems: should a man steal a drug he can’t afford to save his wife? Two brothers are in trouble and decide to skip town. Bob steals money from a local store while Mike convinces an older man known for his charity that he is sick and needs to “borrow” money (saying he will pay it back once he “recovers” from his illness). The old man “lends” Mike the money. Which is worse, the stealing or the cheating? Any good dilemma has no solution and the purpose of the course was to consider how people reach their conclusions, revealing a “stage” of moral development (according to Kohlberg and, later, other researchers).

Kohlberg had adapted Jean Piaget’s “stages of cognitive development,” which mapped how human thinking evolves. Piaget’s (now widely accepted) theory mapped humans developing from a “sensorimotor” stage (birth to 2 years), to a “pre-operational” stage (2 to 7 years), to a “concrete operational” stage (7 to 11) to a “formal operational stage (adolescence through adulthood). This theory illustrated how humans progressed from simply interacting physically with the world to slowly understanding that “others” have a point of view, to beginning to comprehend abstract ideas and think systematically, considering the future. Kohlberg’s adaptation, to study moral/ethical development considered three levels and six stages:

Applying this system to reasoning might go as follows. Regarding the man who stole a drug to save his wife’s life we need to listen to why student’s decided this was “right” or “wrong” to do. There is a great difference in saying he shouldn’t do it because he will be punished if caught (Level 2), versus he shouldn’t do it because it’s against the law (level 4) versus he shouldn’t do it because the scientist worked long and hard to develop the drug and deserves the money (Level 5), versus he should do it because it will save a life (Level 6). So, while the first three answers all said he shouldn’t do it, the reasoning that led to their conclusions were based on different stages of moral/ethical reasoning.

Why this treatise on moral/ethical reasoning and development? Because our current headlines demand that we understand that our President is a “pre-conventional” moral/ethical reasoner. His decision making is totally based on “obedience and punishment” and “self-interest.” When he is defending the Saudi Crown Prince implicated in the brutal murder of a journalist we need to understand that the 500 rooms rented in the Trump hotel (for over a quarter million dollars) and a lucrative arms deal with the House of Saud (self-interest/money-making) are more important to him than “principled conscience” --- or even “law and order!”

When he is crying “no collusion” despite evidence that Russia meddled in our 2016 election and he defends Putin and rails against Russian sanctions we need to see the wheeling dealing for a Trump Tower Moscow working in the background. Stage Two, in Kohlberg’s stages, is often short-handed as “you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours” and if you’ve ever “negotiated” with a three year old you know how that works.

While the President is claiming he’s struck another “great deal” with China, we can’t forget about Ivanka’s seven new trademarks in that nation. Soybeans are on “hold” but the Trump brand plows ahead in Asia, another example of “self-interest orientation.”

None of this is news, of course, but it provides a well-researched psychological explanation of what, exactly, we’re dealing with as regards the occupant of the White House. There have been accusations, time and again, that Trump is a “toddler.” If we apply Kohlberg’s “stages of cognitive/moral development” we actually have proof that he is, indeed, a toddler. His reasoning is “pre-conventional” and his reasoning is based on “obedience and punishment” and “self-interest.” No surprise, just more proof. It probably won’t be used by Robert Mueller --- but it could be.

The Big Issue the Republicans are pushing for the mid-term election is the migrant caravan (invasion!) approaching from Latin America. Shockingly (to me), this has actually gained traction with “base” voters in the Trump Party. Monday’s New York Times (October 29th) quoted Alicia Hooten from Murphysboro, Illinois, as saying it was a “ploy to destroy America, and to bring us to our knees. I’m not going to take it --- not going to go down without a fight.” What is confusing about Ms. Hooten’s statement are the sheer facts that make it ludicrous. The United States of America is a nation of over 325million people (2017 census estimate). How, under any circumstances, are between 3,000 and 7,000 (mostly women & children) from Honduras and Guatemala going to “bring us to our knees?” This is not an imminent threat by any stretch of the imagination. Most of the Fox News “commentators” (posing as “journalists” – talk about Fake News) have been stoking the fires about this “invasion,” claiming the caravan is rife with disease (while also warning, as Trevor Noah pointed out, of all the “strapping young men” who were bent on raping our women and stealing our jobs or worse!). All of this flies in the face of facts, of course, but that has never stopped our Liar-in-Chief from pressing those racist and xenophobic hot buttons he knows his “base” will respond to.

There is no invasion. No one’s coming to get you. There’s nothing at all to worry about. But tomorrow is one week before the midterm election — which is what all of this is about. (HuffPost 10/29/2018)

And he’s correct, of course. (He also pointed out that the caravan is still about 1,000 miles from the U.S. border) Since his announcement about running for President in June of 2015, we know that Donald Trump --- a self-defined “nationalist” (read: white supremacist) --- has been banging on the anti-immigrant/racism drum incessantly and deepening the divisions in this country. The “President” tweeted “Many Gang Members and some very bad people are mixed into the Caravan heading to our Southern Border” without a shred of evidence! Last week, when asked for proof, he had to roll back on his statement that “Middle Easterners” were among the migrants. But the notion of facts, evidence, or proof are not coin in the realm of Donald Trump and his minions.

In the wake of the pipe bomb mailings and the synagogue slaughter on Saturday, Trump also denied any responsibility for inciting such actions. Yet the evidence is pretty clear: The Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism reported that hate crimes in the U.S.A.’s ten largest cities were up 12% since 2017 (New York is down 2% and Chicago is down 14%). The FBI reported that the number of hate crimes also increased nationally, with anti-Semitic crimes rising 55% and anti-Muslim crimes increasing by 25% (Washington Post, Nov. 17, 2017). Are we really to believe that the incendiary rhetoric of our fact-free President has not influenced this rise in hate? Wasn’t it a clear “green light” when the Charlottesville white supremacists marched with their Tiki Torches chanting “Jews will not replace us” and our “President” claimed “there are good people on both sides?”

And now, as if wishing can make something so, the “President” is sending 5,200 troops to our southern border to “repel” this invasion (where the “invaders,” in fact, will apply for admission to our country as refugees!). Wednesday’s NY Times (Oct. 31st) documents a number of problems connected to this “strategy.” #1 – estimated costs are in the $35 million range for the proposed 45-day deployment of troops. #2 – we will have fewer troops to deploy in the event of a natural disaster or special needs (engineers, medical staff, logistical personnel) in a current war zone. #3 – Consuming resources (air transport, food and housing, other vehicles)which might better be allocated elsewhere (or, again, ready for an emergency). #4 – Secretary of Defense Mattis opposed this allocation of troops because they can only provide logistical support to Border Agents and are specifically prohibited from engaging in any kind of combat at the border! In other words, this is “all hat, no cattle,” as they say in Texas. Problem #5 -- the 2014 “Ebola Scare.” You may or may not remember that in 2014 there was an Ebola outbreak in 3 West African countries. Mr. Trump was one of the first to urge our leaders to “shut our borders” at the time, falsely claiming the U.S.A. was at risk of an Ebola outbreak (two U.S. citizens ultimately died of Ebola). It was a raging (anti-Obama, who refused to shut our borders) controversy until Election Day and, after that, the story disappeared. Talk about “false flags!” Finally, #6 – the troops, deployed only until December 15th, might be gone before the caravan even arrives! Still 900 to 1,000 miles away --- and walking on foot, which amounts to about 20 miles per day --- they probably will not arrive at the U.S. southern border until around December 15th, when the troops would be leaving! So, what we’re seeing is callous move by a calculating President to drum up support for Republican candidates by claiming the Democrats have actually created this caravan (ah, yes, George Soros is funding it! Why and how this is so --- facts not necessary to convince Trump supporters) the rhetoric is clearly designed to swing the election. Once again, according to Alicia Hooten of Murphysboro, Illinois: “I think they’re all involved in this (referring to Obama, Hillary Clinton, Mr. Soros). I feel it’s treason.” Of course, the Liar-in-Chief, at a rally in Kentucky proclaimed that Democrats, “want to open America’s borders and turn our country into a friendly sanctuary for murderous thugs from other countries who will kill us all.” His supporters need no corroborating evidence, no facts.

Preying on the fears of primarily white people from the “heartland,” the “President” continues his assault on the Free Press (“Fake News”) while blatantly lying day in and day out. (His latest is the claim that we are the only country that grants birthright citizenship when, in fact, at least 30 others nations do --- including Canada and Mexico). The crass irony of Trump claiming the refugee caravan of 3,000 to 7,000 (mostly) women and children are going to “invade” our country certainly flies in the face of our history. The states that Trump is so dead set on “protecting” --- Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California --- were stolen from Mexico by “Manifest Destiny” driven Americans --- particularly Southern slave owners who saw the potential for several new “slave” states (below the 1820 36-30 line of the Missouri Compromise, which designated “free” northern states from “slave” southern states). It was, in fact, (and appropriately?) a trumped up war based on a phony premise (Mexico “invaded” Texas territory – at best, they entered a disputed section of territory) driven by the belief that White America had a God-given (Manifest) Destiny to settle from “sea to shining sea.” 170 years later, our latter day James K. Polk (a Kentucky Jacksonian Democrat) is stoking the same racist fires, claiming in the same manner that White America must protect itself from these “brown hoards” who want a piece of our God-given pie.

I apologize (profusely) for my insensitivity in using the phrase "short bus" regarding Trump. It is pejorative and disrespects those who have special needs. Implying that Trump should be grouped with those people is a double insult and I sincerely apologize for using the phrase. It was glib and callous on my part and, particularly as an educator, I should know better (the Lovely Carol Marie pointed it out to me immediately --- and several other readers have made note of it and rightly so).

I will expunge the phrase from the blog but that makes no difference. It was there. It was stupid, it was crass, it was wrong. I apologize.

I do not want to hear --- from anyone, friend or foe --- that Donald Trump is, somehow, a “brilliant” political strategist. Or that, by virtue of being wealthy, he must be “incredibly smart” --- as he often tells us. Having watched Donald Trump since the late 1980s, when I first lived in Manhattan, Trump was a laughingstock --- and it was generally accepted (by anyone with a brain) that he was dumb as a stump. And he is! This brief essay has one goal: disabusing any and all who read it from considering, even remotely, that Donald Trump is intelligent. He is not. He is not even marginally smart.

Donald Trump is a Lizard Brain, period. If you are unfamiliar with the term, here is what Joseph Troncale, M.D. posted in Psychology Today on April 22, 2014:

In 1954, the limbic cortex was described by neuroanatomists. Since that time, the limbic system of the brain has been implicated as the seat of emotion, addiction, mood, and lots of other mental and emotional processes. It is the part of the brain that is a phylogenetic ally to the very primitive. Many people call it “The Lizard Brain” because the limbic system is about all a lizard has for brain function. It is in charge of fight, flight, feeding, fear, freezing-up, and fornication. The limbic system is much more powerful than we humans credit it to be. (bold, mine)

Focus on the phrase “It is in charge of fight, flight, feeding, fear, freezing-up, and fornication. “ Beyond the lovely alliteration, consider how many of those terms directly apply to Donald Trump. Fight. Feeding. Fear. Fornication. (“Freezing-up” applies to Trump when he has to read and “flight” applies when he is asked to respond to facts!) But “fight, feeding, fear, and fornication” certainly sum up our Liar in Chief.

Fight. This, of course, is Trump’s strong suit. Always the bully, he loves the notion of a “fight” and engages in it on an almost constant basis. In the wake of the pipe bomb mailings and the synagogue shootings, after he stumbled through teleprompter readings of the expected sentiments, Trump quickly went on to blame the media (while denying any personal responsibility in the bombing episode) and call for armed guards in Jewish houses of worship ---- as well as a stronger death penalty (this, of course, from the “pro-life” party leader). Less than simple, Trump is consistently simplistic --- Lizard Brain. He has no ability to critically consider complex problems and his reaction (to almost anything) is to find the angle which allows him to fight.

Feeding. This is a lighter subject but one which is well documented. The Chief Prevaricator prefers fast-food because it is less likely to be “poisoned” (paranoid much?). His only real kinship with Mexico seems to be his photo with a Taco Bowl, and we know that, while loudly divulging national security matters at Mar-a-Lago, the only thing he can real describe in great detail is the chocolate cake. We are also aware that he revels in receiving two scoops of ice cream when everyone else only gets one (always the gracious host!) and reportedly drinks 12 cans of Diet Coke a day (isn’t addiction another characteristic of Lizard Brain?).

Fear. This, of course, is Trump’s stock-in-trade. Being the fearful, insecure person he is, it is only natural that he appeal to the fears of his “base” (what a wonderful two-edged, descriptive word that is!). Borderline agoraphobic, Trump fears anything and anyone that is the least bit foreign or alien to his immediate, sheltered, white male experience. As a result he tries to engender as much fear as possible over the “migrant caravan” approaching from Honduras. Spewing lies about MS-13 and “Middle Easterners” Trump relies on his Fox News/Rush Limbaugh base to believe they should be afraid of this “horde” which is clearing marching to the U.S. to “steal” their jobs and rape their women! His blatant lying about the Democrats support --- financial and spiritual --- of this “caravan” simply puts in high relief how his own fears are now transferred to his non-college educated white male base (Cesar Sayoc, Jr., for example). Expect this rhetoric of fear to ratchet up as we approach November 6th and, should the Democrats take the House of Representatives, there’s no telling what tall, fear-mongering lies Trump will concoct as he fends off investigations and impeachment proceedings.

Finally, Fornication. A wake of infidelity and scandalous behavior has trailed Trump since his Ivanka/Marla Maples days, when he would call Page Six reporters, pretending to be a publicist named “John Barron” or “John Miller,” lauding the “conquests” of Donald J. Trump. His numerous appearances on Howard Stern’s radio program, as well as in the pages of Playboy, simply reinforce what we heard on the Access Hollywood bus --- this is, indeed, the Fornicator in Chief. Simple minded with only the basest of instincts, Trump is as grotesque as Bill Clinton without the slimy “charm” of Slick Willy. They are both abhorrent, of course, and neither should get a “pass” from the voting public. The Stormy Daniels debacle is only the latest, most publicized of Trump’s forays into the swamps of infidelity and two-timing.

Despite all this, Trump’s “base” loves him all the more for his disdain for those “elites” he rails against. While bragging about his UPenn, Ivy League education, he nonetheless rails about the “elite” media that never treats him fairly --- except, of course, for Fox News, the sycophant network. In all, it is difficult to not see Trump for the Lizard Brain he is and to not recognize that a large percentage of his base (the Cesar Sayoc, Jr.’s of the world) share his narrow and base relationship to the world at large, as well as facts. Others, like Mitch McConnell, Paul Ryan, Lindsay Graham, Chuck Grassley, Devin Nunes, et al are simply so power hungry and greedy they are willing to hoodwink Lizard Brain Nation into thinking Trump is, in fact, “the greatest” while they unabashedly remove health care and social services (those “entitlements” that working people pay for throughout their working lives!!) to guarantee that unrestrained capitalism can triumph.

As an educator, I will take my share of the blame for helping to create an environment where the under-educated and unthinking masses have finally lost their way and are more than willing to follow this Lizard Brain Pied Piper down a path leading to their own destruction. I doubt the Republican Party leadership will ever own up to their own callous, greedy, and unpatriotic groveling at the feet of the Lizard Brain in Chief.

As of last February the NutriBullet (“the world’s original nutrient extractor”) became an integral part of my life. Prior to that, it sat on our counter, being used on a rare occasion to make a smoothie. However, after tipping the digital scale at a robust 245 pounds in late January, I decided to embark on a supervised (“coached”) weight-loss program (NutriMost) and the NutriBullet became an important component of my daily regimen. For those who have never used one, the ‘Bullet is a high-speed super-blender that does a great job mixing any variety of ingredients with some liquid (almond milk, juice, ice cubes) into a variety of pleasingly drinkable concoctions. The Nutribullet became an essential part of my daily routine and was at least partially responsible for 60 to 65 pounds disappearing by early October. So imagine my chagrin, confusion, anxiety, and concern when, on Sunday morning, I placed the Nutribullet cup in its armature, turned it counterclockwise and . . . nothing happened!! I tried again. And again. Nothing. The ‘Bullet was dead.

Desperately needing my morning dose of “Bulletproof Coffee” (16 ounces of coffee mixed with a tablespoon of KerryGold butter, a tablespoon of coconut oil and a liberal dose of flavored stevia), I quickly dug through our kitchen cabinets and unearthed an old Hamilton Beach blender, a pale substitute for the Nutribullet --- but it got the job done well enough. Nonetheless, I was momentarily bereft and, after that first coffee, repaired to the Internet to see what a replacement ‘Bullet would cost (or, as a substitute, a Cuisinart Blender --- which we had just used in our hotel in San Francisco --- a more than suitable replacement). Having done that, I then decided to do a little research on YouTube to see if there were any “Nutribullet Repair” videos available. Of course, there were.​ I watched several videos but they all seemed to note that the problem with their machine was that the “activators,” the three small white tabs that the Cup slid into --- which were “activated” when you turned the cup counterclockwise---were stuck and wouldn’t depress and allow that counterclockwise turn. Upon checking my machine, however, the activators were all fine, they all depressed as they should and they allowed me to rotate the cup --- which should have started the machine. Clearly, something else was wrong with our Nutribullet.

Facing the idea of buying a new ‘Bullet (or Cuisinart Blender) I figured I had nothing to lose and might as well dismantle it (as shown in the repair videos) --- what the hell! So, I watched carefully and saw where the various Phillips head screws were that had to be removed, allowing me to break the machine down into three separate pieces: the “shell” exterior, the base & motor assembly with its protective cover, and the decorative bottom stand. I thought that I could, at the very least, clean the entire machine, check those activators, and see how ‘Bullet worked. In the process, I discovered something.

Each of the activators was held in place by two screws that held a small plastic “bar” in place, so the activator would stay aligned properly. In the process of removing the “bar” I discovered that one screw --- the one that happened to hold (what turned out to be) the main activator (because it directly connected the motor’s trip switch to that activator) had a broken plastic post --- a post that was supposed to hold the activator in place to start the motor!!! Because of that post not holding the activator in its place (I hypothesized) the Nutribullet motor could not be activated. Repairing that post might allow the Nutribullet to work again. So, I got the Gorilla Glue and carefully repaired the broken post --- and waited --- and waited (not my strong suit) --- for the glue to dry.

After about two hours of waiting, I reassembled the Nutribullet and was pleased to find that the newly-glued post actually held the activator barin place, meaning my hypothesis would be tested, if I could reassemble the machine correctly. Watching the repair videos again, I took my time (again, not easy for me) and seemed to put everything back correctly --- no extra parts or screws were left on the table.The moment of truth had come. I plugged the Nutribullet in and placed the cup down on the activators. I pushed down and twisted counterclockwise, not expecting much ---and it hummed to life! It worked! It was repaired! The Lovely Carol Marie heard the machine and thought I had plugged in the Hamilton Beach blender to fool her. But when I marched into the living room, arms raised triumphantly and declaring my success, she realized she had heard the Nutribullet ---working!

I realize that, in the grand scheme of things, repairing a Nutribullet is not a big deal. We’ve got a momentous midterm election coming up and everywhere we look the world seems to be going to hell in a hand basket. But fixing that Nutribullet reminded of something that I think many of us may lose sight of during this chaotic and confusing time. Solving a simple problem, thinking hard and devising a solution and working through a challenge is extremely satisfying. When I reflected on this simple Nutribullet experience over my Bulletproof coffee this morning I remembered how many times, within one school day, I was faced with problems and challenges --- encompassing a wide variety of situations --- and managed to come up with some kind of solution --- which was a key element in why teaching (my job) was enjoyable (and satisfying) for 42 years!

This simple experience --- fixing a household appliance --- reminded me of how so many of my colleagues and friends (teachers, lawyers, social workers, consultants, et al) were also great at solving problems and meeting challenges and I wondered if they took time --- reflected --- on not only how good they were at it but also how satisfying it is. Even the smallest problem, the simplest challenge requires that we “use our minds well” (as Ted Sizer so often reminded us) and how exhilarating that is.

Now, the Nutribullet may stop working again any minute --- the Gorilla glue may give, the contact point may stop connecting --- who knows? It really doesn’t matter because the SATISFACTION of having fixed it, of having solved the problem and having met the challenge (knowing that I can, again, take it apart and try to fix it, puzzle out the problem, search for the solution) that’s the fun of it all.

So, as your days go by, don’t miss those little moments, those small challenges or big problems that require you to dig deep and push yourself and, whether you successfully meet the challenge or solve the problem or not, enjoy those moments when you exercise your talent, your creativity, your intelligence. It’s too easy to lose sight of a simple pleasure like this in today’s chaotic times --- but we don’t have to.​ Have a great (creative/challenging/problem-solving) day!

Byline: San Francisco, Oct. 3, 2018 I first encountered Sir Francis Drake in August of 1989, on my first (and only) resort vacation in Virgin Gorda, in the British Virgin Islands. Drake’s name seemed to be everywhere and there were still all kinds of stories about the famed flamboyant British privateer/pirate circulating. A hero in England’s defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588, Drake had gained fame long before that as a tormentor of the Spanish Empire and the first captain to survive circumnavigating the globe (1578 to 1580). While I vaguely knew those facts, our trip to the San Francisco Bay Area renewed my acquaintance with Sir Francis, as he is quite the “big deal” in these parts. Major thoroughfares here are named for him, pubs and inns bear his moniker, hotels and high schools herald the man. He is inescapable in San Francisco and Marin County. And this caused me to wonder if (and/or when?) this excruciatingly liberal bastion of political correctness was going to begin thinking about renaming all the “Sir Francis Drake” roads, buildings, etc.

Sir Francis Drake, after all, was a pirate! Literally. He may have been the guy who invented buried treasure! He made a career of not only bedeviling the Spanish but also running with John Hawkins, generally considered England’s first slave trader! Indeed, Sir Francis was a partner in some of Hawkins’s slave dealings. So, while Sir Francis was a hero in England --- specifically for that bedeviling of the Spanish King and his imperial forces --- he was something of cad, at best an amoral and oft-times self-aggrandizing individual. There was no doubt he was quite fearless as a young man and that led to his “discovery” of the San Francisco Bay and claiming it for England. That his name is inescapable around here, among all the other Spanish appellations present, seems ironic and incongruous. It feels like yet another attempt to promote the “Anglo” over all else, despite the rich Spanish/Mexican history that clearly stamps California.

Of course, if it’s not a big deal to Californians, why should I care, right? And I don’t, particularly. In fact, I only bring it up because, after doing some cursory research about Sir Francis he does not match, at all, the characteristics of the folks we’ve met --- and know --- in the Bay Area. That is, (particularly from a craven New Yorker’s point of view) the people out here are not just “nice,” and “laid back,” they seem genuinely kind and friendly. Two things that strike you right away about California are (1) the extreme courtesy drivers exhibit toward pedestrians and (2) the equally extreme awareness of being “environmentally conscious/friendly.”

If you have not been to California recently, particularly if you are from New York, you might find it a little maddening when you are trying to get somewhere in a taxi (or an Uber, or a Lyft). Even if the light is GREEN drivers will not only stop for jaywalking pedestrians but they will stop if someone merely steps off the curb! It’s like an entire city being driven by Mother Theresa! (Ironically, the old radical Jerry Rubin ---Abby Hoffman’s sidekick--- who, while not a native New Yorker certainly acted like one {he was from Cincinnati by way of Oberlin and Berkeley} died in Los Angeles at age 56 as a result of jaywalking. The first car he walked in front of swerved to not hit him (of course) but the second one saw him too late! Bye-bye Jerry. But that was L.A. ) From what I’ve seen here in the Bay Area, nothing like that is going to happen in these parts. If you fake stepping into the street, against the light, cars come to a screeching halt here. I’m betting Sir Francis Drake was not the kind of guy who would even tap his brakes, yet he’s revered everywhere.

And then there’s the environmental stuff. If you’re shopping in San Francisco and, god forbid, you don’t have (or forgot) your own shopping bag, you will have to pay 10 cents for a paper bag. Don’t get me wrong; I think this is a great idea. It’s actually seeing it in action that is striking if you’re coming from the East Coast and are used to hearing “paper or plastic?” In the same way, it’s not just recycling that happens it’s the sorting. There’s not one can for trash --- or even one for trash and one for recycling. No, you’ve got three receptacles, with printed/pictured signs that are labeled “landfill,” “recycle,” and “compost.” (see photo, above) The pictures on the signs show what goes where. When we visited Marin Academy on Monday (a prestigious private school in San Rafael) we probably shouldn’t have been surprised to see the labeled “compost” receptacles on the counter in the faculty lunchroom (but we were!). Sir Francis Drake, who tore through the local native population here, probably wasn’t a big recycler/composter.

I’ve already mentioned the high gas prices here. That’s the result of taxation designed to move folks toward electric cars. I saw a television ad yesterday for a Solar Panel installation company offering to pay your electric bill (up to $1000) while they install their panels on your home. Again, I’m not complaining or mocking what’s going on here --- in fact; we should all wish that California were pointing the way toward a kinder and more eco-balanced future for all of us. It’s not perfect, by any stretch, but it’s certainly making the effort.

I’m just having trouble picturing Sir Francis Drake in this landscape.